Samwise NFL Newsletter
Monday, July 20, 2026
Mahomes ‘On Track’ For Week 1 Return From Knee Surgery
The Kansas City Chiefs received encouraging news about Patrick Mahomes’ recovery from the ACL and LCL tears he suffered on December 14. The timetable — nine months — lines up almost exactly with Kansas City’s Week 1 opener against the Denver Broncos. Mahomes participated in OTAs and is expected to be cleared for full-team work when training camp opens. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports the Chiefs are optimistic: “It certainly does seem that Mahomes is on track to be on the field Week 1.” Kansas City went just 6–8 in his starts in 2025, making his return critical to their Super Bowl hopes.
Source: Pro Football Rumors Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Inside the Seahawks Sale: How Neeru Khosla’s Role May Have Swayed the $9.6B Auction
Behind-the-scenes details of the Seahawks’ record $9.6 billion sale are emerging, and it turns out the auction between Vinod Khosla’s group and runner-up Aditya Mittal was far closer than it appeared. Per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, a source describes the final bidding as an “extremely close” back-and-forth, with each side repeatedly topping the other until Khosla’s bid finally held. Crucially, a key factor may have been that Vinod’s wife, Neeru, is designated as the controlling owner — something that resonated with Jody Allen, who steered the franchise since Paul Allen’s death in 2018. NFL owners vote on the sale August 26.
Source: Pro Football Rumors Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Ravens LB Teddye Buchanan Doing ‘Top 1%’ Rehab, Expected Back Sooner Than Later
Second-year linebacker Teddye Buchanan is recovering remarkably from the torn ACL he suffered during Baltimore’s Week 15 shutout of the Bengals. Ravens GM Eric DeCosta offered a glowing update on 105.7 The Fan, calling Buchanan’s rehab “top 1% of rehabs I’ve seen in my time here, which has been 30 years.” DeCosta described himself as “very optimistic” and said Buchanan would be back “sooner than later” — suggesting he could begin practice ahead of schedule. The 23-year-old fourth-round pick earned PFWA All-Rookie honors in 2025 with 93 tackles and elite coverage numbers alongside Roquan Smith, and his starting spot remains waiting.
Source: Pro Football Rumors Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Dolphins LB Jordyn Brooks Not Chasing a Top-of-Market Contract Extension
Jordyn Brooks is entering the final year of his contract with the Miami Dolphins and is looking for a deal that reflects his worth — without necessarily chasing top-of-market money. The 28-year-old led all NFL linebackers in 2025 with 183 tackles, adding 3.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, and first-team All-Pro honors. Per the Miami Herald’s Omar Kelly, Brooks is said to be targeting a deal comparable to Azeez Al-Shaair’s three-year, $54 million pact — notable partly because Al-Shaair’s contract came without Pro Bowl recognition. A former Seattle first-round pick, Brooks joined Miami in free agency and appears motivated to earn a long-term commitment in South Florida.
Source: Pro Football Rumors Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Bears Enter Training Camp With Braxton Jones as Starting Left Tackle
After an injury-riddled 2025 season that saw three different players start at left tackle for the Chicago Bears, veteran Braxton Jones enters training camp as the clear frontrunner to protect Caleb Williams’ blind side. Jones was benched in Week 4 and later landed on injured reserve, with Theo Benedet and rookie Ozzy Trapilo — who tore his patellar tendon and is likely out for 2026 — rotating in. Chicago retained Jones on a one-year, $5 million deal, and he took all first-team reps during spring practices per ESPN’s Courtney Cronin. Free agent addition Jedrick Wills and Kiran Amegadjie will push for the job in camp.
Source: Pro Football Rumors Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Three-Man Battle Brewing for Bears’ Starting Pass Rush Spot Opposite Sweat
The Chicago Bears finished 2025 with the seventh-fewest sacks in the league, with Montez Sweat the lone pass rusher delivering consistent pressure (10.0 sacks). As training camp approaches, ESPN’s Courtney Cronin reports that three players — each recovering from serious 2025 injuries — will compete for the starting spot opposite Sweat. Dayo Odeyingbo (torn Achilles) appeared in just eight games before his injury. Austin Booker had a promising second half, posting 4.5 sacks in 10 games after returning from a knee injury. Shemar Turner tore his ACL but is being developed at the edge after playing interior in college. The Bears made no moves to add outside competition.
Source: Pro Football Rumors Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Broncos QB2 Battle: Could Sam Ehlinger Unseat Jarrett Stidham Behind Bo Nix?
The Denver Broncos’ backup quarterback competition is heating up heading into training camp. Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel believes mobile quarterback Sam Ehlinger has a real shot to unseat veteran Jarrett Stidham as Bo Nix’s backup. Ehlinger impressed new offensive coordinator Davis Webb in 2025, choosing to remain on the practice squad over an active roster spot elsewhere. Stidham, however, brings recent high-stakes experience: he started the AFC Championship when Nix missed time with an ankle injury, going 17-of-31 for 133 yards in a 10–7 loss to the Patriots in the snow. The loser of the competition may be traded before the final roster cutdown.
Source: Pro Football Rumors Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
American Football Conference
AFC East
1. New England Patriots — 14–3–0
2. Buffalo Bills — 12–5–0
3. Miami Dolphins — 7–10–0
4. New York Jets — 3–14–0
AFC North
1. Pittsburgh Steelers — 10–7–0
2. Baltimore Ravens — 8–9–0
3. Cincinnati Bengals — 6–11–0
4. Cleveland Browns — 5–12–0
AFC South
1. Jacksonville Jaguars — 13–4–0
2. Houston Texans — 12–5–0
3. Indianapolis Colts — 8–9–0
4. Tennessee Titans — 3–14–0
AFC West
1. Denver Broncos — 14–3–0
2. Los Angeles Chargers — 11–6–0
3. Kansas City Chiefs — 6–11–0
4. Las Vegas Raiders — 3–14–0
National Football Conference
NFC East
1. Philadelphia Eagles — 11–6–0
2. Dallas Cowboys — 7–9–1
3. Washington Commanders — 5–12–0
4. New York Giants — 4–13–0
NFC North
1. Chicago Bears — 11–6–0
2. Green Bay Packers — 9–7–1
3. Minnesota Vikings — 9–8–0
4. Detroit Lions — 9–8–0
NFC South
1. Carolina Panthers — 8–9–0
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 8–9–0
3. Atlanta Falcons — 8–9–0
4. New Orleans Saints — 6–11–0
NFC West
1. Seattle Seahawks — 14–3–0 🏆
2. Los Angeles Rams — 12–5–0
3. San Francisco 49ers — 12–5–0
4. Arizona Cardinals — 3–14–0
Curated by JD · samwise.agency